Raul Gonzales

"Thanks to InterNations, I quickly found useful tips of where to search for a flat. And I met great global minds at the same time."

Li Wang

"As I already connected with several Chinese women before moving to San Francisco, I quickly felt at home here."

Welcome to Our Expatriate Community of San Francisco

Hello and welcome to the InterNations Community of expats who left their hearts in San Francisco! Our community provides an invaluable library of comprehensive guides, advice, and insider tips especially created to support expats; you can find the answers to questions such as, "how can I access healthcare?", "when should I apply for a visa?", or "what is the climate like?". Day-to-day dilemmas are solved in our forum by experienced expats who have already negotiated the uncertainties of relocating to San Francisco. Our members are always happy to share their knowledge, from the best family-friendly festivals to finding a romantic restaurant in the Bay. InterNations opens the doors to America's gold rush boom town as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge to your new life.

With InterNations, you never stand alone. Whether you move to another city or go on a business trip
somewhere — our communities are there to make you feel at home wherever you are in the world. Feel free to
also check out our other vibrant InterNations Communities like the ones in
Khobar (Eastern Prov.) or
Dubai.

Our Global Partners

Find More Information in Our San Francisco Expat Guides

Are you dreaming of moving to San Francisco, the cultural hub of the Bay Area, and of waking up to the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge? There’s more to the City by the Bay than California’s liberal culture. With our guide on moving to San Francisco, you’ll learn about the climate, visas, and public transportation.

Many expats dream of living in San Francisco, intrigued by its liberal spirit and welcoming atmosphere. Still, life in San Francisco has its ups and downs. Read all about San Francisco in our InterNations guide, and learn about education, health, and the much-dreaded apartment hunt.

Expats working in San Francisco may not see much of the typical Californian weather. However, the City by the Bay has a lot in store for professionals from all over the globe. Read our guide on working in San Francisco for more information about the economy, social security, business culture, and more.

Exchange Tips about living in San Francisco

Get trustworthy advice and local insights from fellow members in our San Francisco expat forums.

Embark on a Busy New Life in San Francisco

Today, San Francisco, with a population of approximately 850,000 citizens, is among the most colorful American cities and expats can feel it at the moment they start walking around the streets. In keeping with its gold rush past, San Francisco is a center of finance with national and multinational banking companies stationed here. The city also houses an enormous technology industry covering research into biotechnology, aerospace, and internet development from companies such as Apple, Google, and Pinterest. Maybe because of its cosmopolitan spirit and tremendous opportunities for personal development, San Francisco is one of the most attractive towns for young expats. Possibly the greatest industry of San Francisco is tourism, but in a city of this size expats with the right experience will find a variety of paths to pursue.
When looking for accommodation, you can choose between the colorful houses of the suburbs such as Walnut Creek, which is excellent for families, or choose to stay closer to the city in trendy loft apartments. For those looking for luxury, the immaculate Sea Cliff neighborhood provides sea views, access to beaches, the Golden Gate National Park and private swimming pools. And if you are worrying about your neighbors, stop now! People in San Francisco possess a very positive way of thinking and at the same time they smile and laugh a lot. So, you couldn’t wish for better next-door neighbors. Speaking of traveling and public transportation, the city will not disappoint you, it has lots of steep hills, twisted streets with sharp turns and cable cars.
In addition to vibrant nightlife and huge shopping malls, the city also hosts year-round colorful festivals such as jazz, Shakespeare and chocolate festivals, Oktoberfest by the Bay and the Chinatown Night Market Fair. Culture lovers can find Broadway musicals on tour in one of the many glamorous theaters, and sports fans can choose between basketball, baseball, football, hockey, and soccer. Let's not forget about all of the places and landmarks which this city offers to its citizens. If expats are looking for outdoor activities, then Ocean Beach, Baker Beach and Golden Gate Park are the perfect areas to spend your free time. Moreover, Coit Tower, which offers a 360-degree view of the city, is also an alternative for expats to get more information about San Francisco. Numerous museums, zoos, and theme parks mean that there's something for everybody, and don't forget to find an InterNations Group to share your new interests with.
All in all, as one of the greatest journalists, Herb Caen, born and raised in San Francisco once said, "I hope I go to Heaven, and when I do, I am going to do what every San Franciscan does when he gets there. He looks around and says, 'It ain’t bad, but it ain't San Francisco'."

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 390 cities across the
globe. Get to know fellow internationals in your city, before you're moving, or when traveling somewhere
and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat
friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the
world. Whether they live in
Jeddah or
Shanghai,
InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Socializing at InterNations Events and Groups

At InterNations, we're committed to providing expats with valuable information. For us, the safety and security of every community is of great importance, so we value the key principles of honesty, ethical behavior and mutual respect. At our monthly social events, you can meet global minds from all over the world; take the opportunity to network or just relax and make new friends. Share your interests with others or discover something new with our groups dedicated to concerts, books, culture and softball, among others. With advice, support, and real life networking opportunities, it's reassuring to know that you're part of our international InterNations community.

Other Languages

Raul Gonzales

"Thanks to InterNations, I quickly found useful tips of where to search for a flat. And I met great global minds at the same time."

Li Wang

"As I already connected with several Chinese women before moving to San Francisco, I quickly felt at home here."